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Cyberbullying A Domestic Threat

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:04:59 +0000

Cyberbullying A Domestic Threat

The United States of America is at war on two fronts, one foreign and one domestic. The country has been at war against terrorism for over 5 years. The U.S. military which is second to none possesses “State of the Art” weaponry that has the capability of precision lethality. The Constitution of the United States of America gives us the right to fight all those who are threats to our domestic tranquility. This blog’s focus is on the domestic war that thousands of young Americans are exposed to when the school year begins. The wars effort is growing on a front where there is already physical confrontation resulting in casualties in the thousands, but the landscape is on a digital or electronic battlefield (Social Media). Cyberbullying has claimed lives as the result of jail sentences (convictions from bullying), suicides (by those who succumbed to stress) and violent retaliations (from those that are bullied and fought back). The understanding is that this was the result of severe torment and bullying in and out of school using electronic means.

Intelligence Summary

Cyberbullying is harassment that occurs via electronic means. It happens on Social Media and Social Network sites, Cyberbullying is Bullying, it takes place through text messages, emails, all digital means. The tragedy in this form of domestic terrorism is Cyberbullies can be classmates, online friends, church members, and even family members, they can be in community groups and church. Bullies either cyber or physical know their victims. Emailing, tweeting, chatting, FBing and Skyping are the most common online activities. Naturally when kids communicate they are sometimes playful, but that play can turn mean, destructive, resentful, harassing and dangerous. Just as the military uses performance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, target recognition, bullies do the same on social media sites. Would it take an Executive order to issue “special” weapons to stop bullying or will parents be more involved and aware of their children’s actions?

Online Bullying:

The issue of bullying sounds the alarm for parents, teachers, school administration and law enforcement that online bullying is widespread and leading to teenage suicides, and suicide attempts. The domestic war has real casualties, American children that are future leaders of their communities and country. Social media has opened up a new area for intelligence gathering by bullies, and provided avenues to reach out and digitally terrorize another person. Instead of bombs, missiles, IDE’s, or other weapons, social media and social networks are the tools of these domestic terroristic actions. Online protocols (tools) are like tools of a digital sniper, the online environment contains the snipers scope while words, pictures, threats, innuendoes, profanity and lies are the hollow pointed bullets.

There are no rules in this war just inflict damage to the emotional and psychological stability of those that are being targeted. In traditional war you avoid close contact with your enemy, there are rules of engagement and an understanding who the enemy is and their capabilities. In this new war of cyberbullying your enemy can be in school, in church, attending class and can look right in your eyes.

Casualties of Cyberbullying:

A study by Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D. and Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D. of the Cyberbullying Research Center shows that there is an upward trend in the 10 to 19 year-old age group seriously contemplated attempting suicide as a result of cyberbullying. Studies are showing that bullying is a factor in the study that shows that those that are bullied are
at higher risk for suicidal thoughts and planning. In a national study, approximately 2,000 randomly selected middle-school students from the most populous school districts in the United States were surveyed by National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The results were disturbing showing increased students reported they seriously think about attempting suicide and students reported attempting suicide, if unsuccessful they
did not tell their parents; war creates mental and psychological stresses, bullying is the same in creating depression, social challenges, struggled academically or creating special needs either physically or emotionally. Bullying and cyberbullying creates emotional instability, feelings of hopelessness, and paranoia in the minds of adolescents,
these are some of the symptoms that Gulf war veterans face after returning from war.

Be Aware and use Wise Counsel

Parents, teachers, school administrators/counselors and now members of clergy must be aware of the atmosphere of schools and communities, even churches. They must recognize the battlefield bullying signs of conflict, low morale, rumors of plots to terrorize and bully. Counselors have a school wide challenge to watch the emotional state of children. To be able to council, redirect behaviors and intervene when necessary, use intelligence, stealth and counter intelligence to learn the direction and redirect possible assaults. If delayed deadly results may happen to students and the educational atmosphere of schools will be compromised, reflected in communities and churches..

Cyberbullying Triage:

Just as the military has protocols for suicide prevention and intervention, schools now need bullying and cyberbullying response programs. Schools should always involve a counselor or psychologist in cyberbullying or bullying investigations as well as prevention education, and make the immediate goal of any investigation not discipline, but support for targeted students. Events need to be teachable moments for the educational environment so they will not happen repeatedly. The American military is a representation of American society with order,
discipline, and Esprit de corps. Schools are challenged with the threat of misuse of technology. Parents need to check their children’s social media sites and networks; even check their cellphones for voice, data, pictures and video. If parents do not take charge or are too scared they are held liable to potential future tragedies. Proactive efforts (intelligence gathering) by parents do intervene before trouble, reinforce ethical uses of technology and parents are made aware of what is going on their domestic fronts. The increase of intelligence can lead to the ceasing of hostilities in bullying and cyberbullying, an agreement of peace and friendship. Even if parents have their children sign Internet safety agreements; violation should be dealt swiftly and fairly. American’s must be united against the domestic threat of bullying and cyberbullying. If parents do not act how similar are our children
to the terrorists we are fighting on foreign soils in foreign lands. Each cause chaos, confusion, fear, mistrust and even death. The lines of foreign and domestic terrorism are becoming blurred.

William Jackson, M.Ed.

Fathers Come To Jesus On Social Media

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:01:10 +0000

William Jackson

Fathers Come To Jesus On Social Media
How would this term apply to the use of Social Media by Fathers. Men are accountable in the creation of their digital footprints that their children and the world will see. Technology allows us to “digitally speak” our minds, share our hearts, express our spirituality, our Manhood, even our parenting skills are displayed. The interpreted accountability in social media, religion, social issues should be discussed by all men. Kirk Franklin Gospel Icon; Darrell Gilyard former Pastor; Bishop Eddie Long; all men, role models and fathers. Job 4:21 (KJV), “their excellence which is in them goes away? They maybe without wisdom.” In Job 4:21 wisdom is lacking is the statement, without wisdom there is a lack of understanding, blatant sin and stupidity. I have faith the Franklin situation, Gilyard embarrassment, and Long drama teaches men a lesson when creating digital content, to be careful of what and where we post and access content. Actions will be found out and fathers will be accountable to their families and children. There are ramifications from unethical content socially, ethically, morally and potentially professionally. Texting and tweets, fathers are producers of content, but that content can be an undoing in multiple ways in social interaction, ethically displayed in intentions in relationships especially with children.

The misinformed idea is that digital content and cyber-footprints do not follow fathers into the real world, but fathers must understand it does!! Just as in “Kirk Franklin’s Freedom,” the 700 Club (2009) his admission of addiction to porn revealed the effects on family. Who would have imagined a spiritual man/father would help define the ramifications of our digital lives would affect our corporal existences. Online content defines and represents fathers so they must be careful of what they bring into their homes through their computers, “A man or woman is defined more by their thoughts, which can be seen in their actions, which determines their character” (http://www.online-literature.com/, 2006). Technology allows our character to be exposed which in turn is deployed in our online actions. Technology is a tool that can create opportunities for good and bad, the term “Come to Jesus”is a term made reference that everyone is accountable in their actions. Being accountable for our actions as parents, held responsible in digital terms for our content, Jesus (if you are a Christian) holds us accountable for our actions no matter what tools are used as a father. How can our children follow us as fathers if we do not respect our roles as leaders and models in our homes?

The more we use technology, the more technology allow us to do; does not give us permission because we can do something (Tweet, Skype, Blog) we should do it. Many forget that once we start the transfer of information it cannot be recalled. No amount of prayer will delete or divert digital exchanges and the content will never go away. Since it is permanent, fathers run the risk of families, children and communities learning about the content that is accessed. It is always stored on a server somewhere in the world. Our use of technology makes our content immortal, by the misuse of the creation and accessing of content that can change the human action/reaction. We are mortal people, but with technology can be immortal with our thoughts through text and pictures. What we create will influence how people/history remembers us, and what images our children will see. Technology gives fathers a digital legacy, procreation gives us a physical legacy; both are representative of us.
The Bible in Luke 6:39 (KJV); paraphrasing, how can our leaders in politics, education, finance and even ministry lead us if they are unethical in their digital content and online actions. Fathers, Come To Jesus in your Blogging, Tweeting, Skyping, Texting and Social Media presence; learn from the examples of Franklin, Gilyard, Long and others who have used the empowering digital tools for questionable behaviors. The digital footprints we create represent us as fathers, husbands, and leaders; what will our children say?

Even in Accountable: Making America as Good as Its Promise (2009) by Tavis Smiley and Stephanie Robinson; we are accountable for our content online and offline, no one influences us, forces us, holds us hostage in creating the digital footprints we produce. In our minds eye we should be reminded our steps ultimately lead straight to Jesus who will judge all our actions to determine what direction we will eternally go.

William Jackson, M.Ed. and Cheryl Williams, RN

http://about.me/williamdjackson

Join LinkedIn To Increase Your Blog Visibility

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:52:00 +0000

Increase visibility among bloggers/writers in your genre by joining LinkedIn. It’s really quick and simple to create an account. You can browse through the groups and find some that coincide with your interests. For example, if you are a blogger. You can join Black Bloggers Network on LinkedIn and talk to other Black Bloggers. You can join in on discussions, ask each other questions, and share vital information. It’s a great online community with a wealth of information. It is also a great networking tool. The best part about joining a LinkedIn Network is that you can show others your latest blog posts by sharing a link to your website.

Great Informative Blogging Tips By a Black Social Networking Guru

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:27:00 +0000

Social Networking Tips From LaShanda Henry

LaShanda Henry is pioneering the world of online business. She has tons of great information for bloggers. You can find her at www.sistasense.com
She is also the founder of Black Business Women Online http://mybbwo.com/
Check out her site. She has many different videos filled with helpful tips for making your website or blog a success. She also teaches you how to market your site. If you are ever in need of helpful information, she is a great source of knowledge.

You can visit her youtube page as well at http://www.youtube.com/user/lhenry

LaShanda’s Websites
www.blackmomsclub.com
www.sistasense.com
www.mybbwo.com